Wizards Pull Away from Lakers, 111-95

The Washington Wizards defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 111-95, at Capital One
Arena on Thursday evening. Both teams came out with the hot hand, as evidenced
by the 37-34 score in favor of the Wizards (6-5) at the end of the first
quarter. However, Washington used a strong second period to create some distance
from the Lakers (5-7), who may have been feeling some of the effects of an East
Coast back-to-back set. The home squad was able to keep Los Angeles at bay
throughout the second half, utilizing some aggressive defense that led to a
total of 19 turnovers on the part of the visitors, along with a pedestrian 36.5
percent success rate from the field (including 13.0 percent from three-point
range). The Lakers were able to get seven players into double figures in the
scoring column, but none tallied more than 15 points. Brook Lopez and Jordan
Clarkson both produced that total from the starting five and bench,
respectively. Lopez added four rebounds, two blocks and one steal, while
Clarkson supplied two rebounds. Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope produced
matching 13-point tallies, with the former adding nine rebounds and one assist
and the latter registering four rebounds, three assists and three steals. Julius
Randle turned in a near double-double off the bench with 11 points, nine
rebounds, one assist and one steal. Brandon Ingram contributed 10 points, four
rebounds and one assist. Lonzo Ball matched his point total but his shooting
woes continued, as he drained only three of 12 from the field. He did add eight
rebounds, eight assists and two steals. John Wall paced the Wizards with 23
points, eight rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals. Backcourt
mate Bradley Beal followed closely behind with 22 points, five rebounds, five
assists and one steal. Otto Porter, Jr. turned in a 20-point, 11-rebound
double-double that also included two assists and one steal. Markieff Morris
compiled 16 points, five rebounds and one assist over 17 minutes in his best
outing of the season. Marcin Gortat managed eight points, five rebounds and one
assist. The Lakers continue on to Milwaukee to face the Bucks on Saturday night,
while the Wizards remain home and take on the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday evening
as well.